Cardholder Verification Methods (CVM)

Certain credit and debit cards are programmed to require a Cardholder Verification Method (CVM) when used to help verify the identity of the cardholder.  Verification is handled by either entering a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or a cardholder signature.

The three CVM methods are:

1. Pin (Offline and Online)
2. Signature
3. No CVM Required

How does CVM work?

CVM works a couple of ways in Cloud Retailer.  You can set a signature threshold in your back office under Admin -> Payment Methods.  If the transaction total is greater than the signature threshold, the terminal will automatically require a customer to sign for the completed transaction.

The other method can be determined by how the card is programmed.  When Cloud Retailer receives a message from the Host Processor, the terminal communicates the card's CVM method to be used for identifying the cardholder.  In this case, the terminal may prompt the customer to enter their PIN or Signature based on the card's required CVM.

References

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMV
• https://www.emv-connection.com/cardholder-verification-methods-concepts-implementations-and-impacts/